The Wait List: Double Listing and Transferring Wait Time
Patients' Frequently Asked Questions
by Steven Katznelson, M.D., medical director, Kidney & Pancreas Transplant ProgramWhat is the difference between "double listing" and "transferring waiting time"?
"Double listing" means that an individual's name is placed on the wait list at more than one transplant center. If an individual can travel to more than one center on short notice when a deceased donor kidney becomes available, double listing can be beneficial as it may expose that individual to more transplant options.
In double listing, an individual keeps his/her primary waiting time (measured from the time his/ her name is placed on the waiting list) at the first center where he/she was seen. Then, that individual starts new on a second list. For example, if a patient has a listing date of January 10, 2010 at Center X and one year later gets double listed at Center Y, the patient would have a listing date of January 10, 2011 at Center Y. The list date for Center X would remain at January 10, 2010. With double listing, patients cannot keep their original listing date at all centers, per rules set by United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the government agency that oversees the national waiting list.
"Transferring waiting time" is different than double listing. It means that all of an individual's waiting time is transferred to a new transplant center and while you will remain listed at your old center, you will not have your original list date, per UNOS policy. Transferring wait time is not always in your best interest. Please talk to us and your nephrologist before ever transferring your wait time to make sure it's the best decision for you.
What is the benefit of transferring waiting time?
Individuals transfer waiting time for a number of reasons. A patient may move and find it easier to be followed by a transplant center that is closer. Or a new insurance policy may only cover transplantation at a particular center.
Some individuals transfer waiting time because they think a transplant center has a shorter waiting time. This can be confusing as waiting times not only vary from center to center but also by blood type and donor type (standard criteria donor vs. extended criteria donor). In addition, individuals with high antibody levels may benefit from being listed at a center where more deceased donors are available on a yearly basis even if the overall waiting time is long.
California Pacific's Kidney Team strongly encourages patients to talk to their original transplant center before transferring waiting time. It is important to ask about the overall waiting time as well as how that time varies by blood and donor type, and whether there is an antibody (or "PRA") issue to consider.
How do I transfer waiting time?
To transfer waiting time, talk to a kidney transplant coordinator from the transplant center at which you want to transfer your time. The coordinator will supply you with a simple UNOS form to sign. The transplant center will handle the rest of the details.
Please talk to your original transplant center before transferring waiting time to make sure it's the best decision for you.
article published in Fall / Winter 2011Kidney Review newsletter